Avatars

[codeTONY offline]

Well, after much thought, I decided this wasn't spam. Please don't make it a spam topic! Post full-throttle answers.

Do you think avatars describe who someone is? If avatars were not an option, would it be harder to judge someone?

I'm thinking of changing my avatar. I would let it stay because it is less than 40 kbs, but I would get rid of it due to it's "girly" feel (please vote!). What do I think? IDC, but I'm not normal, so is a "girly" avatar weird?

Whaddo you think?

[SamBlob offline]

Well, after much thought, I decided this wasn't spam. Please don't make it a spam topic! Post full-throttle answers.

Do you think avatars describe who someone is? If avatars were not an option, would it be harder to judge someone?

I'm thinking of changing my avatar. I would let it stay because it is less than 40 kbs, but I would get rid of it due to it's "girly" feel (please vote!). What do I think? IDC, but I'm not normal, so is a "girly" avatar weird?

Whaddo you think?

Well, having seen so many of Linii-Chan's avatar, I get a mental image of Winry from FullMetal Alchemist whenever I think of her. Similarly, I get a mental image of Edward from FMA when I think of X1 (which is an improvement over the ambiguous-looking guy whose picture he posted claiming it was him...)

I used to have an avatar made by Doggiegal (has anyone seen her around recently) that featured Emily and said "Ordinary". That was a bit girly, but that did not matter to me (besides which, I'm an Emily fan). I lost it during the avatar purge and I replaced it eventually with an avatar based on my drawing of a Messerschmitt KR200, although I still have Doggiegal listed in my sig as the keeper of the heraldic arms.

Your avatar represents you. If you think it represents you as you wish to be represented, go right ahead. A poll to find out if you're right is a good idea, at least if what people think matters to you.

[Stonecreek]

Your avatar represents you. If you think it represents you as you wish to be represented, go right ahead. A poll to find out if you're right is a good idea, at least if what people think matters to you.

Which is why mine rarely last a week. My moods change, and so does my avatar. BTW, like the throwback to the old one? What is my most-recognized avatar, d'you think? I need something to hold the fort down over the break.

And cT, I like your avatar a lot. Whether it is "girly" or not is inconsequetial if you like it.

[MY85 offline]

I used to have an avatar made by Doggiegal (has anyone seen her around recently) that featured Emily and said "Ordinary". That was a bit girly, but that did not matter to me (besides which, I'm an Emily fan). I lost it during the avatar purge and I replaced it eventually with an avatar based on my drawing of a Messerschmitt KR200, although I still have Doggiegal listed in my sig as the keeper of the heraldic arms.

Haven't noticed her at DA. She deleted her LJ account. Honestly, I don't have any clue about her. But her avatars are still on her DA account. Maybe you could save the avatar to your pc and upload it, but crediting Doggiegal for it. For that, do it with the avatar she gave to you.

codeTONY, you want this to stay at GD, or move it to BKO so it can get a bit off-handed, just like Signatures?

[Chad Rains offline]

I have to tell you that I do agree with the fact that an avatar does really identify the person in my mind. Or vice-a-versa in some cases. One good example is this:

A while back when the tv show "Knight Rider" was regularly aired on the Sci-Fi channel I had done some digging online and joined probably the biggest KR fansite on the web, knightrideronline.com . Anywho, there was this one member on there who seemed to have been a higher up on the boards and also owned a few other KR-oriented websites. She had a Bonnie avatar everywhere. At some point we had gotten into a huge fight over something trvial and needless to say I pretty much left the KR community without a trace (this coupled with Sci-Fi's decision to pull KR from the lineup). But to this day all I can remember was thinking that Bonnie had that same personality as the person did on those boards.

[YDV offline]

Yeah, er... I was going to use



^^^ This, but then I thought "....Everyone's going to think I'm a girl."

^^; Oh well... (Or do you think I should still use it?)

[KayLenny#7 offline]

My avie always fits my mood. I only have a couple that I made. Like the one of Sissi that says "O RLY?" and my Gaia avies. I don't think anyone has a problem with knowing basically who I am, with or without an avie. Although I always think of x1 as a guy trapped in Yumi's body. And BAB as a bored, sarcastic Ulrich. And I bet people sometimes think of me as a sensitive, gangsterish Sissi. ^^'

[Kharaa offline]

Avatars alone do not make a person. An avatar, plus the attitude expressed by the person behind the avatar make the illusion of a person whole.

[emoBillâ„¢ offline]

I would get rid of it due to it's "girly" feel

It isn't girly. It's cute...kinda...^^ but if you want to, go ahead. No one's going to stop you from having it you know? Whatever you want is fine.

[MY85 offline]

Avatars alone do not make a person. An avatar, plus the attitude expressed by the person behind the avatar make the illusion of a person whole.

Agreed.

Besides, I got a new avatar.

[Jeremie Lover offline]

My avatar describes what I am today lonley ^_^

[MY85 offline]

My avatar describes what I am today lonley ^_^

The irony is that you're pround of it.

[Jeremie Lover offline]

My avatar describes what I am today lonley ^_^

The irony is that you're pround of it.

What's that suppose to mean? That Im weird!?

^_^ I am aren't I? ^^

[Delritho offline]

I always get a mental image of from ones avatar. Oh what impression do you get from my avatar?

[Overcaffeinated Sloth offline]

I like mine because, well, I'm 14. I can't make up my mind! so now mine's a volleyball avvie with the word Spyke on it because that's what I scream when that happens to me.

But I feel that an avvie should represent yourself (That's why minre usually brightly colored)

But as for yours, personally, I think it's a bit too small, hard to understand, but no, it's not girly.

[Jeremie Lover offline]

I changed my signature and avatar.

My avatar now represents the music I'm listing to ^_^

[Harajuku Guy offline]

I think my avatar conveys my feelings towards the show as well as odd lol.

[Mewberries151]

I'm thinking of changing my avatar. I would let it stay because it is less than 40 kbs, but I would get rid of it due to it's "girly" feel (please vote!). What do I think? IDC, but I'm not normal, so is a "girly" avatar weird?

codeTONY, I can tell you from experience...you can have the girliest avatar and probably still be considered a guy. (j/k) Gender confusion through icons really isn't an issue with me at all...particularly if it's an honest mistake. If you're worried you'll be teased here for being a guy and having what you call a "girly" icon, I can assure you that won't happen here. We're all really nice here.

Honestly though, I personally no longer judge gender from a person's icon. There's too much room for error. ^^; It's a 50/50 chance and one can never be sure anyway. X) More so, I think avatars usually represent a person's likes/dislikes in some way, or represent a special person/thing/place/event in real life for them...or perhaps even a combination of those. One can never be entirely sure.

Avatars are an interesting form of representation...they can describe a person on certain levels and in certain degrees. Then again...they can also be used as a cover...the worst hackers often have very friendly looking icons...or at least ones that do not draw excessive attention to themselves. You will never see a hacker with an icon that says "I AM A HACKER. Ph34r M3!" Unless, of course...they're using reverse psychology, but I'm going to discontinue that thought before I really become confusing. ^^;

In any case, Avatars are representative of you in some ways, at the very least, and what people perceive of you from your avatar can differ in how you perceive yourself or your avatar personally.

For example: From your current avatar, I could presume that you are a cheerful, bouncy person, who's favorite character is Aelita. Whether this is true or not, I'm not sure. But it is a judgement I could make, and it could easily by adverse to your own true meaning for your avatar.

As for my own avatar...a general assumption would be on first viewing, "Oh, a Mew/Pokemon fan". One might also assume that I'm a playful, cheerful person (if one knows Mew's own character and can correlate them to my liking it). For the most part, they'd be correct, but they wouldn't have a complete description of me, to be sure. And that's also myself, trying to look at my own icon objectively. Anyone might look at my icon and see something entirely different, especially if they have no idea who/what Mew and Pokemon are.

So, I guess, in short, avatars are, at the very least, a basic form of representation. You chose your icon, so it must represent something to you...even if it's as simple as you thought it looked cool. ^^ They're not finite in their representation though...more they're a window, a small peak at who a person might be. They're really only the tip of the iceberg as far as forming one's personality, honestly. ^_^

[G-Force offline]

Couldn't have said it better myself mew...No really, I couldn't. Good thing you made such an intelligent post, that way I look smart in comparision also.

In general, an avatar is used to express either one or a combination of these aspects.

1. A visual representation of one's personality
2. To showcase an invidivdual's likes or dislikes
3. To express a certain message.

ect.

I do agree with the conecpt that an avatar can be seen as a visual marker for a particular user. This is a psychological tool our minds use to help us sort out all of the sensory cues we recieve from the outside world. For example, when someone mentions mewberies' username, people who are familair with her would automatically think of her avatar. However, aside from that one aspect, there is nothing more you can draw from just looking at an avatar besides the fact the person using it likes that particular design.

Of course don't look too deep into avatars. If that's the case then I'm some sort of homicidal maniac who likes to etch G's into my fingerprints before I dance away from the scene of the crime

Compliments of zekari.

[TB3]

Hmm...X1 made me this neat new avatar - do you guys think it suits how you percieve me or does it clash too much with the old one?

[Osiris offline]

i got my new avatar today too i just thaught it went with my username

[Mewberries151]

Couldn't have said it better myself mew...No really, I couldn't. Good thing you made such an intelligent post, that way I look smart in comparision also.

Thanks...although I was using other's ideas that had been posted here like SamBlob's and StoneCreek's as a spring board from my own. Everyone's posted some really good insights about this. It's a great topic to discuss, I must say, as it's something we all can talk about. We all have icons after all. ^_^

In general, an avatar is used to express either one or a combination of these aspects.

1. A visual representation of one's personality
2. To showcase an invidivdual's likes or dislikes
3. To express a certain message.

ect.

I do agree with the conecpt that an avatar can be seen as a visual marker for a particular user. This is a psychological tool our minds use to help us sort out all of the sensory cues we recieve from the outside world. For example, when someone mentions mewberies' username, people who are familair with her would automatically think of her avatar. However, aside from that one aspect, there is nothing more you can draw from just looking at an avatar besides the fact the person using it likes that particular design.

Of course don't look too deep into avatars. If that's the case then I'm some sort of homicidal maniac who likes to etch G's into my fingerprints before I dance away from the scene of the crime

Compliments of zekari.

A good point! One could even assume you have said "G" emblazoned into your actual finger to achieve such a print...which I'm hoping is not the case.

But that's very true. One's icon is the basis of one's visual representation, mostly in combination with one's username (thus why continually changing one's icon or username can confuse the heck out of the members one is chatting with). One's personal representation can be given a first impression by the avatar in some form, but will almost always be acheived by one's conduct on the forum and the relationships formed with others. At least, that's my opinion anyway. ^^

Hmm...X1 made me this neat new avatar - do you guys think it suits how you percieve me or does it clash too much with the old one?

I think it looks awesome! It's hip. It's got your name on it...and it has visual layers....*ducks tomatoes* Ok, ok, I won't write out a Shrek/Onions parody. X) But honestly, I think it suits you. An icon is just visua representation though, remember. It's alot like getting a new hair cut, I'd say. It doesn't change who you are on the inside...it just gives us a new picture to work with. ^_^

[odd girl offline]

its cute^_^

[TL.]

I don't really like TB3's new avatar.

[Lani offline]

What I do when I'm new to boards is first learn the names, then remember the avatars that go with the names. After than, when I'm scrolling down a page, RARELY do I look at the username, but at the avatar. So if I see two people with the same avatar my brain explodes and I'm like WOAH. o_o

And I also use the avatars to tell me what kind of person they are, and judging by their personality and what's on their avatar I decide if it's a boy or a girl, and then feel really bad when I find out that I was wrong about their gender xD;;

I always wonder how people picture me... :O